C2idiominformaldecisionsIELTS-friendly
better the devil you know
USUK
it is wiser to keep something familiar, even if bad, than to risk something unknown
Short for 'better the devil you know than the devil you don't'. People usually say only the first half.
In context
I hate my landlord, but better the devil you know than a new one who's worse.
Voters chose the old mayor again; it was a case of better the devil you know.
More idioms about decisions
- a Catch-22a situation you can't escape because each solution depends on the other
- a change of hearta change in your opinion or plan, usually towards a kinder or different view
- a double-edged swordsomething that has both good and bad effects
- a fait accomplisomething already decided or done that others must now accept
- a foregone conclusiona result that is certain before it happens